FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Injury Report - Week 3 Philip Gentles September 19, 2008

QUARTERBACKS

Damon Huard, KC - Mild Concussion / Neck Strain

Chiefs' QB Damon Huard, who was knocked out of last week's game with a mild concussion and neck strain, was able to take part in practice on Wednesday and is not listed on the team's official injury report. But the team has decided to bench Huard in favor of Tyler Thigpen. Thigpen came in for Huard after he was hurt in Week 2 and he played fairly well. Head coach Herman Edwards indicated that he was looking for a spark from the QB position to jump-start the offense and he hopes that Thigpen will do the trick this upcoming weekend, but he said that he won't hesitate to pull Thigpen if things aren't going well. Huard will be active and will probably be listed as the team's backup.

Carson Palmer, CIN - Mild Ankle Sprain

Bengals' QB Carson Palmer took part in all team drills on Wednesday and Thursday and head coach Marvin Lewis told reporters that he expects Palmer to start this weekend against the Giants. Palmer sprained his ankle in Week 2 however the injury isn't serious and after getting treatment on Monday and Tuesday he was cleared by the medical staff to take the field with the first-team offense on Wednesday. Palmer will have his ankle taped as a precaution, but Lewis said that the injury shouldn't affect his performance.

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - Sprained AC joint

According to reports Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger sprained the Acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder back in Week 1 and aggravated the injury last week against the Browns, but after practicing with the team this week it looks like he will be healthy enough to play on Sunday. There were a number of media outlets reporting the injury as a shoulder separation, but head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that his shoulder wasn't separated, that it was just sprained. Well, I hate to break to Coach Tomlin but an AC joint sprain and shoulder separation are exactly the same thing. Regardless of how the Steelers would like to classify the injury, it appears that Roethlisberger is ready to play through it. He took part in all team drills on Wednesday and he was back on the field again on Thursday. If all goes well during practice on Friday he will be active this weekend against the Eagles.

RUNNING BACKS

Justin Fargas, OAK - Groin Strain

According to team officials Raiders' RB Justin Fargas is out indefinitely with a strained groin muscle. Fargas, who was hurt in last Sunday's game against the Chiefs, underwent an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been made public the medical staff does not expect him back until after the team's Week 5 bye. Fargas spoke with several reporters on Tuesday and he mentioned that his groin was stiff and very sore. There is speculation that the MRI revealed a partial tear in the groin muscle, but the Raiders have not confirmed this report. If rookie Darren McFadden can stay healthy he will be the team's featured RB while Fargas is out and if he continues to play well he could remain the starting lineup even when Fargas is ready to return.

Ryan Grant, GB - Strained Hamstring

According to reports Packers' RB Ryan Grant, who is dealing with a strained hamstring, continues to see limited action in practice. His playing status for week 3 looks to be very similar to last week when he played (ineffectively) but split time with backup Brandon Jackson. Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that Grant will maintain his limited practice schedule as the medical staff is still concerned that the injury could linger if he doesn't rest and rehab it as much as possible. So there remains a chance McCarthy could decide to deactivate Grant this weekend. We'll know more on Sunday so check back then for updates.

Adrian Peterson, MIN - Strained Hamstring / Minor Ankle Sprain

Vikings' RB Adrian Peterson was limited on Wednesday and missed practice Thursday with what is being called a strained hamstring and his status for Week 3 remains uncertain. Peterson spoke with reporters this week and said that he injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of last week's game. As I mentioned in Tuesday's report he was seen limping off the field late in the fourth quarter after a carry and his right foot and ankle were examined on the sideline by an athletic trainer. It appears that he injured his hamstring on the same play as well, and it has been so sore that he was unable to practice on Wednesday and he was once again held out on Thursday. Head coach Brad Childress said that the injury to Peterson is "a concern" and he wasn't sure if he would be active for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Hopefully he returns to practice today (Friday), but if he doesn't he will likely be a game-time decision. So you might want to check with The Huddle on Sunday for a final update on his status.

Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX - Minor Ankle Sprain

Jaguars' RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who briefly left last week's game with a minor ankle injury, missed practice on Wednesday and was limited in practice on Thursday. However head coach Jack Del Rio said that the team is limiting Jones-Drew's participation in practice as a precaution and said that not only will he play in Week 3 against the Colts he will see an increase in his workload as well. According to reports Jones-Drew has spent a lot of time in the training room getting treatment on his sore ankle. But Del Rio said that he has healed quickly and that he expected him to be ready for the Colts on Sunday.

Jamal Lewis, CLE - Sprained Ankle / Hamstring Soreness

Browns' veteran RB Jamal Lewis is currently dealing with soreness in his ankle and hamstring and he remains limited in practice as a result. However team officials are optimistic that he will be active this weekend against the Ravens. Lewis complained of problems in both his ankle and hamstring on Monday and he was still a bit sore on Wednesday morning so the medical staff decided to limit his involvement in practice as a precaution. Head coach Romeo Crennel indicated that Lewis could end up being a game-time decision, but said that Lewis would likely be in the team's starting lineup.

Laurence Maroney, NE - Undisclosed Shoulder Injury

Patriots' RB Laurence Maroney was held out of practice on Thursday for the second straight day and according to reports his status for Week 3 is in question. Maroney, who was hurt in the first half of last week's game, has spent a lot of time working with the medical staff this week. The exact nature and severity of the injury has not been made public however there is speculation that it is related to the shoulder injury that required surgery when he was rookie. Team officials have indicated that Maroney could take part in practice on a limited basis today (Friday), but the team is preparing to play against the Dolphins without him. LaMont Jordan has also missed practice because of a foot problem and he may not play either. If Maroney and Jordan are out this weekend, look for Sammy Morris to see an increase in his workload.

Darren McFadden, OAK - Turf Toe

Raiders' rookie RB Darren McFadden, who has been diagnosed with acute turf toe, practiced on Thursday for the first time this week and it looks like he will be active this weekend against the Bills. McFadden was held out of practice on Wednesday as he rested and received treatment for his hyperextended big toe. But he was cleared for workouts on Thursday and if his toe holds up through practice today (Friday) he should be in the starting lineup on Sunday. This injury doesn't appear to be serious, but if it starts to linger it could affect his productivity all season. See Tomlinson below.

LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - Turf Toe

Chargers' RB LaDainian Tomlinson will probably play on Monday night against the Jets, but the big question is can he be productive despite dealing with a painful toe injury. LT was in and out of the lineup and he was limited to just 40 total yards last week because of turf toe. Although being held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday Tomlinson has said that his toe is feeling much better and that with every day he is getting closer to 100%. He doesn't think that he will be completely healthy in time for the game but he believes that he will be more productive. There are no guarantees with this type of injury and there is always a chance that he could be held out on Week 3 as a precaution. So make sure you check with The Huddle on Sunday for an update.

Michael Turner, ATL - Minor Ankle Sprain

Falcons' RB Michael Turner, who suffered a minor ankle sprain during last week's game, is not listed on the team's official injury report and he will start this weekend against the Chiefs. Turner admitted that his ankle was sore on Monday but he saw immediate improvements after treatment on Monday and Tuesday and the Falcons' expect him to be at full speed this weekend. McFadden and Michael Bush ran all over the Chiefs last week, so don't be surprised if Turner has another big day on Sunday.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Reggie Brown, PHI - Strained Hamstring

Eagles' WR Reggie Brown, who has been out since pulling his hamstring during the preseason, returned to practice with the team on Wednesday and after making it through another full practice on Thursday it looks like he will make his 2008 debut this weekend. According to reports Brown ran without a problem in both practices and he appeared to be at full speed. But head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Brown probably wouldn't be in the starting lineup against the Steelers. The team is looking for some consistency opposite DeSean Jackson so if Brown remains healthy don't be surprised if he cracks the starting lineup as early as Week 4.

Joey Galloway, TB - Sprained Foot

Bucs' WR Joey Galloway will not play this weekend against the Bears and he remains out indefinitely because a sprained ligament in his foot. The team has not said how severe the injury is however head coach Jon Gruden has told reporters that he is concerned. Galloway will spend the remainder of the week resting and getting treatment on his injured foot and Gruden indicated that he would begin rehab next week. Galloway is scheduled to visit with specialists at some point this weekend or early next week and Gruden said that he would update his status as soon as he has more information.

Devin Hester, CHI - Torn Rib Cartilage / Bruised Ribs

The status of Bears' WR/KR Devin Hester for Week 3 remains uncertain after he was held out on Thursday for the second straight day. Hester initially told reporters on Thursday that he was dealing with torn rib cartilage but he later called the injury a rib bruise. The team has not released details regarding Hester's injury or status, and it appears that a decision on his availability won't be made until gameday. Hester did say that his chest was feeling "a lot better" and he indicated that tests performed earlier in the week revealed that the injury was not as severe as the team first thought. All of this sounds positive, but it certainly looks like the team is preparing to play without him. We probably won't know anything more until moments before kickoff so check back with us on Sunday for a final word.

Jerry Porter, JAX - Recovering from Hamstring Surgery

Jaguars' WR Jerry Porter, who missed training camp and the preseason while he recovered from hamstring surgery, was not listed on the team's official injury report on Wednesday and he was scheduled to make his 2008 debut this weekend. Unfortunately he was limited in practice on Thursday and he was added to the official report as result raising questions about his availability for Sunday's game. Head coach Jack Del Rio did not say why the team decided to limit him, but it's a good indication that he may not be ready to play. Del Rio will have an update on his status after practice today, but regardless of what happens Porter won't be a big part of the offense for at least another week. Keep him benched.

Sidney Rice, MIN - Sprained PCL

Vikings' WR Sidney Rice, who has been diagnosed with sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, has not practiced this week and the team expects him to miss this Sunday's game against the Panthers. Rice told reporters on Sunday and Monday that his knee would not keep him out of Week 3. Unfortunately the medical staff is concerned that his knee isn't stable enough for contact and they may keep him out for at least another week while he rehabs and recovers. We'll know more about his status after practice on Friday, but don't expect him to be active on Sunday.

TIGHT ENDS

Dallas Clark, IND - Undisclosed Knee Injury

Colts' TE Dallas Clark, who missed last week's game with an undisclosed knee injury, returned to practice on Wednesday and it looks like he will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday. Head coach Tony Dungy did not say what Clark's injury is, but he mentioned that he was pleased with his recovery and that he expected him to play against the Jags. The team will see how he looks like practice today (Friday) and Dungy may even wait until gameday before making an official decision on Clark. But all signs point to him playing.

Ben Utecht, CIN - Bruised Sternum

Bengals' TE Ben Utecht missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and unless something amazing happens he won't be active this weekend. An MRI on Utecht's injured chest confirmed that there were no breaks, but he has been diagnosed with a bone bruise and team officials have indicated that he could be out up to three weeks while he recovers. Head coach Marvin Lewis has not officially ruled him out, but if he misses practice today (as expected) he could be downgraded to "out" for Week 3.